Multimedia network appliances for security and surveillance applications

ABSTRACT

Network appliances for use in combination with a network based full service, multi-media surveillance system provide a wide range of monitoring techniques utilizing digital network architecture. The appliances may be connected to the surveillance system for transmitting event data, video and/or image monitoring information, audio signals and other data over significant distances using digital data transmission over networks such as a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network such as the Internet for other networks, permitting remote manual and/or automatic assessment and response. The wireless LAN connectivity permits local distribution of audio, video and image data with relatively high bandwidth without requirement of a license and without relying on a common carrier and the fees associated therewith. The surveillance system may be interfaced with a WAN (wide area network) such as frame relay or the Internet for providing a worldwide, low cost surveillance system with virtually unlimited geographic application. Multiple sensors and appliances may be accommodated, as required. The topology of the network will be established by the geographic situation of the specific installation. Appropriate firewalls may be set up as desired to protect unauthorized access to the system or collected data. The server based system permits a security provider to have access to the appliance, related sensor and surveillance data or to configure or reconfigure the system from any station on the Intranet or Internet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention is generally related to sensor, monitor andcontrol appliance devices generally utilized in monitoring andsurveillance systems and is specifically directed to a networkadaptation of such appliances.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Security of public facilities such as schools, banks, airports, arenasand the like is a topic of increasing concern in recent years. Over thepast few years, a number of violent incidents including bombings,shootings, arson, and hostage situations have occurred. In addition,agencies responsible for public security in these facilities must copewith more commonplace crimes, such as drug dealing, vandalism, theft andthe like.

Such facilities frequently employ monitoring and surveillance systemsand access control systems to enhance security. This has been commonpractice for a number of years. Such systems generally have acentralized monitoring console, usually attended by a guard ordispatcher. A variety of sensors are located throughout the facility,such as smoke detectors, fire detectors, motion sensors, glass breakagedetectors, badge readers at various access points, and sometimes, videocameras and/or microphones. Other sensors and transducers are utilizedto lock and unlock doors.

There are numerous devices utilized to collect information at remotelocations and initiate a local alarm, store the information for laterretrieval or forward the information to a remote location for storageand/or near real time review. Examples include fire alarms, securitycameras, motion sensors, proximity switches, heat sensors, smoke andfire sensors, and the like. Almost all of these appliances can be usedin some form of configuration where one or more sensors may be used incombination to provide a surveillance scheme over an area to bemonitored. In prior art systems, the signal generated by each type ofdevice was used locally, or if part of a network, was sent over adedicated connection to a remote collection point for that type ofdevice.

These prior-art devices often use technologies that not ‘intelligent’ inthe modern sense; they merely provide an ‘ON/OFF’ indication to thecentralized monitoring system. The appliances also are not ‘networked’in the modern sense; they are generally hard-wired to the centralizedmonitoring system via a ‘current loop’ or similar arrangement, and donot provide situational data other than their ON/OFF status.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to support function systems that maybe used separately or in combination as building support devices byadapting them to network appliances and configuring them to communicateover network topologies to each other, to building databases, and to theusers. This allows either stand alone functional systems, or a fullyintegrating them into a single “seamless” system. By way of example,school classrooms may have several communications and monitoring systemsto support a classroom such as an intercom, clock system, thermostat,motion detector, door access control, computer network connections andthe like. The subject invention permits the combination of all of thesefunctions into a single appliance device that may communicate over asingle network connection providing various combinations to provide forbuilding support functions. The appliance devices may also communicateto other buildings and control nodes in other facilities by use of WideArea Networks (WANs) such as Intranets and the Internet. The inventionis particularly well adapted for use in connection with my co-pendingpatent applications, entitled: Multimedia Surveillance and MonitoringSystem Including Network Configuration, Ser. No. 09/594,041, filed onJun. 14, 2000; Method and Apparatus for Distributing Digitized StreamingVideo Over a Network, Ser. No. 09/716,141, filed on Nov. 17, 2000; andMethod and Apparatus for Collecting, Sending, Archiving and RetrievingMotion Video and Still Images and Notification of Detected Events, Ser.No. 09/853,274, filed May 11, 2001, and incorporated by referenceherein.

The subject invention includes specific network appliances designed toparticipate in a comprehensive multimedia security and building supportsystem that may be deployed singularly or in combination to achieve thedegree of monitoring and protection desired.

The subject invention also permits all of the support functions to becombined in one appliance, achieving both improved functionality andsupport at a lower costs because of use of shared components, sharedwiring and shared network connectivity. In the preferred embodiment, theappliance is connected to a single Category5 (CAT5) wire, fiber or thelike to the system network. The single appliance provides all of thefunctions previously supplied by a plurality of dedicated purposediscrete appliances.

Functional superiority over the discrete appliances is also achievedbecause of the opportunity to integrate the various subsystems common inthe appliances. For example, a universal wall appliance in accordancewith the subject invention can use a common display panel for aclock/bell system and a visual alarm. A single microphone can be sharedfor the intercom, for noise detection and for alarm oral response oractivation. A single speaker can be utilized for the intercom, atelephone call bell, an alarm emitter and a clock/bell sound emitter. Asingle temperature sensor can be shared between a fire alarm system, theHVAC system and be utilized to check for appliances proper ambientoperating temperature environment. A wireless LAN access point can beshared for remote or mobile alarm/sensor/display modules and forclassroom computer access. A single video camera can be shared forsecurity monitoring, video conferencing and distance learning. A singlestreaming audio/video decoder can present Video On Demand (VOD)classroom video presentations, broadcast television and videoconferencing.

The subject invention permits network components and appliances to beused in combination with a network based full service, multi-mediasurveillance system capable of a wide range of monitoring techniquesutilizing digital network architecture.

Schools, banks, retail operations and other security consciousbusinesses and institutions have a need for advanced hardware andsoftware solutions that provide total, user friendly control over theirsurveillance and monitoring equipment. A system desirably provides:

-   -   1. Multimedia data collection;    -   2. Automated control;    -   3. Archive storage;    -   4. Enhanced search and recall of archived event recordings;    -   5. Preset responses to triggers and triggering events;    -   6. Remote viewing and management from a wide area network        including, preferably, the World Wide Web (or Internet)        accessibility.    -   7. Automatic system pre-failure prediction and post failure        analysis.    -   8. Common infrastructure and workstations shared with other        co-located systems.    -   9. Wireless infrastructure for sensors, monitors and shared        applications/systems.

In accordance with the teachings of the subject invention, any or aplurality of distinctive appliances may be connected to thecomprehensive, wired/wireless multimedia surveillance and monitoringsystem for transmitting event data, video and/or image monitoringinformation, audio signals and other network appliance sensor anddetector data over significant distances using digital data transmissionover networks such as a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN),a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet for other networkautomatic event recording, assessment and response, including dispatchof response personnel. Wired, wireless and optical appliances and sensorsystems may be employed. The wireless LAN connectivity permits localdistribution of sensor, audio, video and image data with relatively highbandwidth without expensive local wiring/fiber and without therequirement of a license and without relying on a common carrier and thefees associated therewith. The surveillance system may be interfacedwith a WAN (wide area network) such as optical fiber, frame relay or theInternet for providing a worldwide, low cost surveillance system withvirtually unlimited geographic application. Centralized and distributedremote monitoring stations have access to all of the surveillance datafrom various remote locations via the network or the WAN. A serverprovides a centralized location for data collection, alarm detection andprocessing, access control, auto response generation, paging, automatice-mail generation, telephone dialing and message transmission, dispatchprocessing, logging functions, configuration management, and/or otherspecialized functions. The server may be inserted virtually anywhere inthe Intranet/Internet network, and may be segmented and installed in adistributed manner to further add to system security, reduce bandwidthrequirements, or allow redundancy.

Multiple sensors and appliances may be accommodated, as required. Thetopology of the network will be established by the geographic situationof the specific installation. Appropriate firewalls, encryption andaccess codes may be set up as desired to protect unauthorized access tothe system or collected data. The server based system permits a securityprovider to have access to the appliance, related sensor andsurveillance data or to configure or reconfigure the system from anystation on the Intranet or Internet.

The system of the subject invention permits comprehensive monitoring oflocations over great distances with sufficient performance to providewidespread use as a security surveillance device.

The subject invention is specifically directed to networked appliancessuch as video and/or image appliances, access control devices, detectorsand sensors as well as audio, condition and/or event monitoring systems.In its preferred form, the comprehensive multi-media safety andsurveillance system of the subject invention provides both visual andaudio information as well as critical data such as temperature fire andsmoke detection. Manually operated transducers, such as panic buttons,door contacts, floor sensors, and the like may also be included toactivate the system in the presence of an event at the sensor location,such as a fire alarm or security alarm panic bar or the like. Controlledtransducers, such as electric door strikes, magnetic door strikes,electric door openers, strobe lights, sirens, room lights, fire controlequipment and the like can be controlled by the appliances. Numerousappliances, including but not limited to detection and sensor systems,are utilized to provide monitoring stations or personnel, such assecurity personnel, and/or a base station monitoring criticalinformation from the sensor system and to record the information andpermit reconstruction of events after the fact.

In its preferred form, a plurality of sensor units, which may include atleast one video image appliance sensor and/or at least one audioappliance sensor and/or at least one motion appliance sensor and/orother sensors, are placed strategically about the facility to bemonitored. In addition, strategically placed motion detectors, firesensors, panic switches, smoke sensors and other monitoring equipment isincorporated in the system. Cameras may be placed throughout thefacility and in other desired spaces including on the grounds outsidethe facility. The audio sensors/transducers and other sensors anddetectors are also strategically located both internal and external ofthe facility.

While the appliances of the subject system may be hardwired, in itspreferred form the system of the present invention is adapted for use inconnection with wireless transmission and receiving systems. Thewireless system is particularly useful for adapting the system as aretrofit in existing facilities and also provides assurances againstdisruption of data transmission such as during a fire, as well aspermitting roving interactive monitors that can be carried or worn. Inthe preferred embodiment, the wireless system is fully self-containedwith each appliance and/or sensor unit having an independent powersupply and, where required for image sensors, a sensor light source. Thesecurity system may include either motion sensitive, audio sensitiveand/or image processing based activation systems so that the equipmentis not activated until some event is detected, i.e., the system isaction triggered.

In the preferred embodiment, each appliance will transmit any detectedinformation to a monitor system located at a base monitoring station,located on site and/or at a remote or roving location, and/or a serverfor logging, forwarding, archiving same. The base station has instantlive access to all of the image and audio signals as they are capturedby the sensors, and where desired is adapted to record and make anhistoric record of the images for archive purposes. Where random accessrecording techniques are used, such as, by way of example, digitalrandom access memory storage devices or high speed disk storage arrays,the archive may be readily searched for stored information.

One significant advantage to the appliance configuration of the subjectinvention is that it permits multimedia surveillance in applications andlocations where physical wiring cannot be used, and over distances notpossible or not cost effective with other systems. The system of thepresent invention provides surveillance capability utilizing techniquesranging from closed-circuit, hard wired systems to the Internet basedtechniques and is not limited by the data capacity; or cost associatedwith systems currently on the market.

It is, therefore, an object and feature of the subject invention toprovide both wired and wireless communication links between appliances,sensors, monitors and/or sensors.

It is an additional object and feature of the subject invention toprovide an appliance configuration for a multimedia surveillance systemadapted for any of a plurality of monitoring and surveillance applianceswhich may be incorporated in the system via network connections througha server to provide a versatile, wide-ranging multi-media system whichmay be configured to meet specific application needs.

It is an additional object and feature of the subject invention toprovide an appliance and monitoring station configuration for amultimedia surveillance system adapted for a plurality simultaneouslyoperating geographically distributed monitoring stations.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideappliances adapted for use in connection with a surveillance system fortransmitting data over significant distances using typical bandwidthcarriers such as the public telephone system, and wireless carriers suchas cellular telephones, including AMPS, PCS, GSM, CDMA, wide band CDMAand the like, CDPD data links, two-way pagers, satellite networks suchas Iridium and the like.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideappliances adapted for use in connection with a surveillance system fortransmitting data over significant distances using typical broadbandcarriers such as cable TV networks, dedicated fiber optics networks, DSLand ADSL carriers, and forthcoming broadband wireless networks.

It is also an object and feature of the subject invention to provideappliances for a surveillance system adapted for utilizing wired videoand/or image data collection and/or transmission using the Internetand/or IP protocols.

It is also an object and feature of the subject invention to provideappliances for a surveillance system adapted for utilizing wirelessvideo and/or image data collection and/or transmission using theInternet and/or IP protocols.

It is also an object and feature of the subject invention to utilizenetwork communication systems to distribute both appliance surveillancedata and control data.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providenetwork appliances for a security surveillance system adapted for use inconnection with a wireless LAN (WLAN) communications system, such as theIEEE 802.11 standards and follow-on standards.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providetime display to a network appliance communicating over the IP network.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideemergency event annunciation to a network appliance communicating overthe IP network.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideroom paging through a network appliance communicating over the IPnetwork.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideroom audio monitoring utilizing a network appliance communicating overthe IP network.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideroom intercom utilizing a network appliance communicating over the IPnetwork.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideroom temperature sensing using a network appliance communicating overthe IP network.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providedevice temperature sensing using a network appliance communicating overthe IP network.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideroom gunshot detection utilizing a network appliance communicating overthe IP network.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideroom access control utilizing a network appliance communicating over theIP network.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide anaudio monitor or intercom between one or more network appliances and oneor more monitor system using voice-over-IP (VOIP).

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide anaudio monitor or intercom between two or more network appliancesutilizing VOIP.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providearchival storage of VOIP audio information for later playback.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide anetwork appliance with video and/or audio capability with muted cameravideo and/or muted microphone audio capability in a room for privacy.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide anetwork appliance device that has an open camera and/or microphone whenpanic button is pushed.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide“intercom” and “emergency” buttons on a panic button.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providepanic button initiated actions, such as:

-   -   Intercom functions to and from room over IP.    -   Logging of all intercom calls.    -   Emergency notification to wired guard stations over IP.    -   Emergency notification to wireless guard stations over IP.    -   Push-To-Talk (or voice activation) response from guard or        administrator.    -   Display on room display stating identity of the responding        party.    -   Flashing location icon on map for intercom or emergency.    -   Pop-up name of person pushing panic button.    -   Pop-up location of person pushing panic button.    -   Pop-up name of room where emergency is taking place.    -   Logging of all panic button pushes, by whom, time, location, and        the like.    -   Logging of all responses, by whom, time, and the like.    -   Recording of all emergency audio/video on server or appliance.    -   For emergency calls, automatic call list: i.e., if first guard        does not respond, go to next, go to administration.    -   For emergency calls, have a party line: i.e., call all stations,        all can respond asynchronously.    -   On party line, all stations display the name of any speaker        doing a push-to-talk (or voice activation) operation, with        workstations having a pop-up display and wall appliance display        shows instead of time.    -   A software priority is established for the responding push to        talk (or voice activation). Automatic notification priority        based upon location, nearest, first, and so on.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide aworkstation-to-workstation intercom utilizing VOIP.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providepush-to-talk or voice activated control of audio from two or morestations on a group session at one time.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide anaudio/video intercom from workstation-to-workstation utilizing VOIP.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providemap-based dialing to workstations or network appliances.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providemenu-based dialing to workstations or network appliances.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provide IPvideo to and from network appliances.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providelogging of all calls.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providelogging of all calls with caller and/or called station ID's.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providelogging of all calls with time stamps for time of calling and answering.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providelogging of all calls by recording actual audio on the server.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providecalls to guard stations and standard PC workstations.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providecalls to administrative stations.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to providecalls from any workstation to any other workstation.

It is another object and feature of the subject invention to provideother voice interfaces, such as:

Calls patched into POTS telephone calls from the “outside” through agateway network appliance device.

Calls on internal PBX through a gateway network appliance device.

Multimedia network appliances can be patched into VOIP telephone callssuch as from the Internet, VOIP phone systems and the like. Incomingcalls are automatically distributed.

Outgoing calls by automatic priority, such as guard station first, if noanswer, the police department over POTS.

Outgoing calls by speed dialing. It is another object and feature of thesubject invention to provide access control, such as:

-   -   Access granted or denied flashing on map.    -   Automatic camera switching based on any access attempt.    -   Automatic camera switching on access denied only.    -   Mode for manual guard confirmation for all accesses.    -   Access network appliance powered over Cat-5 wiring.    -   Access network appliance controlled over IP wiring.    -   Access control of a network appliance decided by server, or by        internal tables.    -   Access network appliance has internal access allowance tables        set over IP wiring.    -   Access network appliance uses internal tables if server is down.    -   Access network appliance always uses internal tables (to save        bandwidth).    -   Access network appliance is has encryption.    -   Access network appliance has contact outputs.    -   Access network appliance has optional wireless badge reader.    -   Access network appliance has optional swipe badge reader.    -   Access network appliance has optional fingerprint reader.    -   Access network appliance has optional retina scanner.    -   Access network appliance has link to personal geo-locator such        that if authorized person is in close proximity door opens.    -   Access network appliance opens under local control.    -   Access network appliance opens under server control.    -   Access network appliance has tamper detectors reporting over IP.    -   Access network appliance sends all activity to server for        logging.    -   Access network appliance has local memory for logging all        activity.    -   Access network appliance can send local memory content to server        for logging.    -   Server can request access network appliance data for logging.    -   Access network appliance is configured over IP.    -   Access network appliance has HTML server for setup and        monitoring.    -   Access network appliance supports friendly names, such as “East        Outside Door”.    -   Access network appliance has password protection.    -   Access network appliance has encrypted communications to and/or        from.    -   Access network appliance can communicate over wired LAN        (example, cat-5).    -   Access network appliance can communicate over wireless LAN        (example IEEE 802.11B).

Other objects and features will be readily apparent from theaccompanying drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a room network appliance module inaccordance with the subject invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an overall block-diagram view of a simple implementationof a wall network appliance of the typed shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a network-supported circuit for communicating a timestandard to a network appliance for use in event logging or eventexecution by a network appliance via a local network.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration including a network hub embedded into thesecurity network appliance.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration wherein a room network appliance includeswireless networking technologies.

FIG. 6 illustrates the utility of the room network appliance asconfigures as an integrated multimedia sensor for a pluralitysafety-related sensors commonly employed in such a facility.

FIG. 6A is a wireless version of network appliance shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 depicts a room network appliance as a gathering point for roomenvironmental data.

FIG. 7A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 illustrates a network appliance enhancement including a videocamera, digitizer, motion video compressor, still-frame videocompressor, infrared illuminator for dark operation, audio sensor,digitizer, and audio compressor.

FIG. 8A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates a room network appliance with an alternative alarmsource wherein a wireless “panic button” alarm device may activate thesystem.

FIG. 9A is a wireless version of the room network appliance shown inFIG. 9.

FIG. 10 illustrates one method power insertion technique utilizing theLAN data link incorporated in the system of the invention to power awired network appliance.

FIG. 11 depicts an alternative embodiment including an alternate powerinsertion technique whereby DC power conveyed along signal pairs of thecable, in common-mode, in order to power a wired network appliance.

FIG. 12 depicts a motion detector sensor network appliance with an IPnetwork interface and power receiver.

FIG. 12A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.12.

FIG. 13 depicts a networked smoke detector network appliance using thenetwork interface of FIG. 12.

FIG. 13A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.13.

FIG. 14 depicts a conventional ‘Pull Handle’ commonly used ininstitutional fire alarm systems as adapted for incorporation in thenetworked appliance of the subject invention.

FIG. 14A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.14.

FIG. 15 depicts a contact-closure interface, as is commonly used fordoor or window sensors in alarm systems as adapted as a networkedappliance of the subject invention.

FIG. 15A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.15.

FIG. 16 depicts a heat sensor network appliance.

FIG. 16A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.16.

FIG. 17 depicts a glass breakage sensor network appliance.

FIG. 17A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.17.

FIG. 18 depicts an alarm siren network appliance.

FIG. 18A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.18.

FIG. 19 depicts a strobe light network appliance.

FIG. 19A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.19.

FIG. 20 depicts a thermostat/humidistat network appliance.

FIG. 20A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.20A.

FIG. 21 depicts a general-purpose control panel network appliance.

FIG. 21A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.21.

FIG. 22 depicts a simple control switch network appliance.

FIG. 22A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.22.

FIG. 23 depicts an indicator light panel network appliance.

FIG. 23A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.23.

FIG. 24 depicts a networked analog user interface control networkappliance, such as may be used to control room lights, temperature, fanspeed, louver blind position, loudspeaker volume, and the like.

FIG. 24A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.24.

FIG. 25 depicts a loudspeaker network appliance.

FIG. 25A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.25.

FIG. 26 depicts a control panel network appliance with indicator lights.

FIG. 26A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.26.

FIG. 27 depicts a power outlet network appliance.

FIG. 27A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.27.

FIG. 28 illustrates an AC socket as expanded into a network-controlledAC power strip network appliance.

FIG. 28A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.28.

FIG. 29 depicts a telephone interface/dialer network appliance.

FIG. 29A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.29.

FIG. 30 depicts a lighting fixture network appliance controlled over anetwork.

FIG. 30A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.30.

FIG. 31 depicts an analog wall clock network appliance controlled overthe IP network.

FIG. 31A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.31.

FIG. 32 depicts an alternative embodiment of the network appliance ofFIG. 31, wherein a digital display replaces the stepper motor, gearbox,hands and shaft encoder.

FIG. 32A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.32.

FIG. 33 depicts a self-contained magnetic strip reader networkappliance, containing a reader as is commonly used in ATM machines, gaspumps, and point-of-sale cash registers.

FIG. 33A is a wireless version of the network shown in FIG. 33.

FIG. 34 depicts a proximity card reader network appliance.

FIG. 34A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.34.

FIG. 35 depicts an electronic door strike controller network applianceshown controlling a standard elector-mechanical door strike.

FIG. 35A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.35.

FIG. 35B is a self-contained electronic door strike network appliancewith an integrated IP network interface and electro-mechanical doorstrike.

FIG. 35C is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.35B.

FIG. 36 depicts a combination security controller network applianceshowing as it is utilized to control an electronic door strike, a doorcontact switch, a keypad entry system, and a secondary identificationcomponent such as a magnetic stripe reader, a proximity sensor or retinareader, or the like.

FIG. 36A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in a FIG.36.

FIG. 37 depicts a combination security controller network appliancecontrolling an electric door strike, and sensing door contacts and aproximity sensor FIG. 37A is a wireless version of the network applianceshown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 37B is an electronic strike network appliance with external contactinputs.

FIG. 37C is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.37B.

FIG. 38 depicts a combination network appliance that is controlling anelectric door strike and sensing door contacts and a magnetic stripereader. FIG. 38A is a wireless version of the network appliance show inFIG. 38.

FIG. 39 depicts a keypad entry network appliance with auxiliary electricstrike and door contacts.

FIG. 39A is a wireless version of the network appliance shown in FIG.39.

FIG. 40 shows a wireless proximity sensor network appliance.

FIG. 40A depicts the circuit diagram for the system of FIG. 39

FIG. 40B depicts the circuit diagram for a wireless version of thesystem of FIG. 39.

FIG. 40C shows a system similar to the system shown in FIG. 39 with theaddition of an exit sign.

FIG. 40D depicts the circuit diagram for the system of FIG. 40.

FIG. 41 depicts a wired universal interface-pull handle/strobe system.

FIG. 41A is a wireless version of the system shown in FIG. 41.

FIG. 42 depicts a wired pull handle system.

FIG. 42A is a wireless version of the system shown in FIG. 42.

FIG. 43 depicts a wired exit device.

FIG. 43A is a wireless version of the system shown in FIG. 43.

FIG. 44 depicts a wired keypad mortise lock.

FIG. 44A is a wireless version of the system shown in FIG. 44.

FIG. 45 depicts a wired magnetic card stripe swipe reader mortise lock.

FIG. 45A is a wireless version of the system of FIG. 45.

FIG. 46 depicts a wired proximity card reader mortise lock.

FIG. 46A is a wireless version of the system of FIG. 46.

FIG. 47 is a control center system and diagram for connecting varioussensors to the system.

FIG. 47A is a wireless version of the system of FIG. 47.

FIGS. 48 and 49 depict multiple universal interface applications.

FIG. 49A depicts a retina reader for use in the networked system of thesubject invention.

FIG. 49B is the wireless version of the retina reader of FIG. 49A.

FIG. 49C depicts a fingerprint reader for use in the networked system ofthe subject invention.

FIG. 49D is the wireless version of the fingerprint reader of FIG. 49C.

FIG. 49E depicts a tilt/pan/zoom camera for use in the networked systemof the subject invention.

FIG. 49F is an enhancement of the camera and system as shown in FIG.49E.

FIG. 50 is a block diagram of the multiple appliance security system inaccordance with the invention.

FIGS. 51A-51BB comprise a full schematic of the system in accordancewith the block diagram of FIG. 50.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts an overall view of the appliance 5 of the subjectinvention. The appliance contains a variety of devices that arecommonplace or useful in educational, institutional, or officeenvironments, including:

-   -   A conventional clock display 25, operable to display other        information as needed such as temperature, humidity, alert        messages, etc.    -   A microphone 35, to detect local ambient sounds in the room and        send them to a remote location and, optionally, to support        acoustic event detection of gunshots and the like,    -   A loudspeaker 20, to allow remote supervisory personnel to        communicate with room occupants,    -   A beacon transmitter 30, which emits coded infrared, RF, or        ultrasonic energy into the room for the purpose of activating        personnel locator devices therein,    -   A beacon receiver also 30, which detects coded infrared, RF, or        ultrasonic energy emitted by locator devices within the room,    -   A camera 15, to view live or still scenes in the room and send        them to a remote location,    -   A standard RJ-45 or equivalent connector 40 for connecting to a        facility Network.    -   An antenna 10 may be provided for supporting a wireless        connection, as will be explained therein.

FIG. 2 depicts an overall block-diagram view of a simple implementation,such as may be used in an educational setting. In this implementation,the appliance only supports a clock display 65, a loudspeaker 45, and amicrophone 55, to support the ordinary clock and intercom commonly foundin schoolrooms. As shown, a digital-to-analog converter 50 and ananalog-to-digital converter 60 are used as required for conditioningsignals input to and output from the signal processor 70. The systemprocessor is connected to a network interface 80, and/or as desired awireless interface 85. The wireless interface 85 is in wirelesscommunication with a wireless access point 87 for providing a gateway tothe network 90.

The device is connected to a local-area-network, such as the commonplace10Base-T, via the network interface. 10Base-T networks commonly employtwisted-pair wiring between hubs and connected devices; an alternativeimplementation may use IEEE 802.11 or equivalent wireless connections.In either case, the network interface passes information to and from theappliance's processor. The processor controls the clock display. Ambientsounds picked up by the microphone are digitized, compressed, andtransmitted to the network via the A/D converter, signal processor,system processor, and network interface. A variety of compressionmethods and communication protocols may be employed; in the preferredembodiment the audio is compressed using MP3 and sent to the networkusing the RTP and TCP/IP protocols. Similarly, compressed audio from thenetwork may be received, de-multiplexed, decoded, and played back viathe network interface, system processor, signal processor, and D/Aconverter.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the clock may be set from a time server 110connected to the local network 115. A variety of network-basedtime-transfer methods exist, the most popular and convenient is NetworkTime Protocol (NTP), a protocol used in conjunction with local-areanetworks or the Internet. Using NTP, the time server and the client (inthis case, the appliance) exchange time messages, and determine astatistical value for network delay, which is then factored out.Accuracies on the order of 1 millisecond are possible on a localnetwork. The timeserver may be set manually, or may optionally be setusing a commercially available WWV time receiver 100 or GPS timereceiver 105. As an alternative, the local time server may set itself toan internet-based master timeserver, such as provided by NIST or theU.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) as indicated by the network timeserver125, via the network 120. Various security appliances including thesecurity circuits 94 may be incorporated in the circuit via the networkinterface 95.

A useful refinement of the system is depicted in FIG. 4. As there shown,the appliance processor 130 is connected to an embedded network hub 140via a network interface 135. Typically, a 10Base-T hub, or equivalent,is embedded into the appliance. This allows other computers 150, 155,printers 145, or other networked devices (via network 160) to share theexisting connection from the room to the facility's local area network.By way of an example, remote workstation 157 may be supported in thismanner. An archival server 161 is accessible over the network 160.

The local area network hub may also include wireless networkingtechnologies, such as the IEEE 802.11, as depicted in FIG. 5. In thisenhancement a wireless LAN access point 180 and an antenna 175 isprovided at the appliance, permitting communication with variouswireless remote components or systems such as the printer 195 supportedby the wireless adapter 205 and antenna 200, the wireless desktop PC 215and antenna 210, the wireless laptop 225 or other portable device andantenna 220.

FIG. 6 illustrates the utility of the room appliance as a collectionpoint for safety-related sensors such as, by way of example, themicrowave motion detector 230, the infrared motion detector 235, thesmoke detector 240, and the carbon monoxide detector 250, commonlyemployed in such a facility. The processor 265 collects data from thevarious sensors in the room. Such inputs are often simple contactclosure inputs. When activated, the appliance alerts a securitymonitoring station via the local network or via a wide-area network 275through the network interface 270. The security station may then summonthe appropriate help, such as police, fire, ambulance, or other servicesas needed. Also, the system processor when so activated may generate anappropriate local warning sound using the D/A converter 260 and theloudspeaker 255. Appropriate sounds might be a fire horn, alarm bell,klaxon, or the like. The warning sounds may be generated from storedsounds in the processor's memory, or may be generated by the facilitysecurity system and transmitted to the room appliance via theintervening network. As shown, various remote stations such as a loggingserver or archive server 161, a security monitoring station 280 andother systems such as by way of example the environmental monitoringcontroller 281.

FIG. 6A is a wireless version of the system of FIG. 6. In thisenhancement a wireless interface 283 is provided for communicating witha wireless access point 287 to provide a link to the network 275. Alsoin this embodiment a power supply 289 and a converter 291 is provided topower the appliance system. In the wired version the network cabling isused to provide power.

FIG. 7 depicts the room appliance as a gathering point for roomenvironmental data, as may be used in controlling an HVAC system.Various environmental control sensors, such as a relative humiditysensor 285, temperature sensor 290, or thermostat panel 295, may connectto the facility HVAC controller 315 via the room appliance processor 265and network 310. Other critical monitoring systems such as, by way ofexample, the fire alarm controller 316, may be interconnected to thissubsystem via the network. The wireless version is shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 illustrates an enhancement to the basic appliance system, whereina video camera 325, digitizer 330, motion video buffer 335 andcompressor 340 and, optionally, a still-frame video buffer 345 andcompressor 350 is added. An illuminator 320 for low light conditions mayalso be supplied. When activated, the camera captures local scenes, andtransmits them to a monitoring station(s) 390 on the local network orwide-area network using suitable compression methods such as MPEG orJPEG, via the network comprising the multiplexer 355, the system orappliance processor 375 and a network interface 380 wherebycommunication via the network 385 is supported. Simultaneously, themicrophone 360 may be included to receive local sounds, digitize them atconverter 365, compress them at compressor 370, and send them to thesame destinations. Activation of the camera and microphone may beaccomplished locally via one or more of the attached sensors, orremotely via the network from a monitoring station. If the ambientillumination is insufficient for viewing via the camera, an illuminatormay be enabled by command from the appliance's processor or by commandfrom the remote station. The illuminator may be visible light orinfrared, as desired. A wireless version is shown in FIG. 8A with anindependent power supply 289, converter 291 and wireless access point287 is provided as previously described.

An alternative alarm source is depicted in FIG. 9, wherein a wireless“panic button” alarm device 440 may activate the system using thewireless transmitter 445 and receiver 450, 455. As shown, the wirelessalarm has an RF receiver 455 and transmitter 465, controlled by the T/Rswitch 460, a device ID memory 475, and a pushbutton switch 480. Aprocess controller 470 is also provided. During normal usage, the roomappliance 485 periodically transmits a code representing its location.The personal alarm 440 receives and stores this location code. When thealarm is activated by pressing the switch 480, the alarm transmits itsdevice ID and the room ID information to the appliance 440. This thenactivates the appliance, enabling the camera and microphone, and alertsthe central monitoring station via the intervening network. As shown,the appliance 440 in this configuration includes a compatible RFreceiver 400, T/R switch 405, RF transmitter 410 with antenna 395. Theappliance processor 425 and network interface 430 communicate with thenetwork 435 as previously described. An encoder 420 may be provided asnecessary. FIG. 9A shows the same system with wireless networkinterfacing as previously described.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict a standardized method and apparatus formonitoring, controlling, and powering a variety of network-basedappliances, which are subsequently described. This is advantageous whenthe network-based may be located in an area where conventionalAC-operated power is not easily accessible. Referring to FIG. 10, aconventional LAN data link is depicted. The hub's physical-layerinterface 800 connects to twisted-pairs 815 and 820 via transformers 805and 810. The remote network device's physical-layer interface 830connects to the same twisted pairs 815 and 820 via transformers 825 and830, thus effectuating a conventional LAN connection. Twisted-pair cabletypically used in LAN's generally contains 4 pairs, who of which areunused in this example. Accordingly, one or both of the unusedtwisted-pairs 855 and 865 are employed to convey operating power to theremote device. A power source 840 is disposed at the centralized hub orswitch. The power source is preferably a voltage source, and preferablya DC source of moderately high voltage. Typical voltage levels may runin the 30 to 60 Volt range. Current sensor 845 senses the DC currentconsumed by the remote device, and may cause current limiter 850 toreduce or eliminate any current supplied to the remote device, in thecase of a fault in the wiring or in the remote device. At the remotedevice, power is extracted and regulated by regulator 860, preferably aswitched-mode down-converter of high efficiency.

FIG. 11 depicts a variation of the same method, wherein the DC power isconveyed along the signal pairs of the cable 855, 865, in common-mode.In this example, transformers 805, 810, 825, and 830 are center-tapped,and the power is applied to the center taps of transformers 805 and 810.Said power is extracted from the center taps of transformers 825 and 830at the remote device. As before, power is supplied by source 840, and ismonitored and protected by current sensor 845 and limiter 850. At theremote end, power extracted from the center taps of transformers 825 and830 is appropriately regulated by regulator 860.

The network interface, common to all subsequent network devices, hererepresented as the motion sensor 525, is depicted in FIG. 12. The deviceattaches to the network using RJ-45 connector 520. An Ethernet interface515 handles the physical-layer connection to the Ethernet network. Therequired DC operating power, as supplied over the network wiring, passedthrough RJ-45 connector 520 to the Ethernet Line-Power Interface 510.This interface extracts the DC power provided by the network, andprovides filtering and regulation as necessary to provide the DCoperating voltages required by the device via line 505. The powerprovided by the network will typically be at a relatively high DCvoltage for the sake of transmission efficiency. The Line-Powerinterface will therefore typically contain one or more regulators toreduce the line-supplied DC voltage to an appropriate value such as thestandard 3.3 VDC or 5 VDC. An IP controller 500 is provided.

An additional benefit of the described configuration is that all sensorsor appliances are intelligent due to the presence of the preprogrammedIP controller. This allows a centralized system monitoring station toautomatically detect and configure the individual sensors or appliances.For example, a device may ‘announce’ itself immediately uponinstallation, thus becoming automatically recognized and monitored bythe centralized monitoring station. Also, relevant operating parametersof the device may be measured or controlled remotely. An example mightbe a glass breakage detector with a history of false alarms; thesensor's sensitivity may be reduced from the centralized monitoringstation via the network. FIG. 12A shows a wireless version of the systemdepicted in FIG. 12. In this enhancement a wireless interface card 526and receiver/transmitter 528 is provided at the device, for defining thewireless interface 380 that operates as previously described.

FIGS. 13 through 34A depict a variety of additional sensors andappliances that may be attached to the described network. All thesedescribed devices share a common network interface, allowing any suchdevice to be added to the network as desired. Moreover, all such devicesare configured to derive their operating DC power from the network,rather than from locally supplied power.

FIG. 13 depicts a networked smoke detector, using the same standardizednetwork interface of FIG. 12. The device may also contain a heat sensor,to increase the accuracy of detecting a fire. The smoke and heat sensors530 and 535 pass their data to the IP controller 500, which generatesand transmits a predefined message to the network. Note that the heatsensor may pass an actual numerical value for temperature to the networkif desired, rather than a simple 1-bit indication that a temperaturethreshold has been exceeded. FIG. 13A is the wireless version andcorresponds to the circuit shown in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 14 depicts a conventional ‘Pull Handle’ commonly used ininstitutional fire alarm systems. In this case, the input to the IPcontroller 500 is a simple 1-bit input from the pull handle switch 540.Again, the device sends a predefined IP message to the network andsystem monitoring station upon activation. FIG. 14 is the wirelessversion.

FIG. 15 depicts a simple contact-closure interface, as is commonly usedfor door or window sensors in alarm systems. The sensors often contain amagnet in one module, and a magnetic reed switch in the other module. Inthis implementation, the contact closure thus effectuated by the reedswitch 545 becomes input bit into the IP controller 500. In response toa change in switch status, the controller 500 generates and transmits apredefined IP message via the Ethernet interface to the network andassociated monitoring apparatus. FIG. 15A is the wireless version.

FIG. 16 depicts a networked heat sensor. The sensor 550 may produce asimple one-bit ‘threshold crossed’ indication to the controller 500, ormay pass a variable representing actual sensed temperature. In eithercase, the IP controller 500 generates and transmits a predefined IPmessage to the network and associated monitoring apparatus. As anadditional refinement, the device may be programmed to acceptconfiguration commands from the networked monitoring apparatus. Suchcommands may, for example, change the sensor's trip point or temporarilysuspend the transmission of messages. FIG. 16A is the wireless version.

A networked glass breakage sensor is depicted in FIG. 17. Sensor 555produces an output indicative of breaking glass to the IP controller500, which generates a predefined IP message and transmits said messageto the network. The sensor's output may, if necessary be processed oranalyzed by controller 500 in the case of a simple microphone orvibration sensor. The device may additionally be configured to respondto incoming control and configuration messages from the network, such ascommands to change the sensor's sensitivity or to temporarily disablethe device. FIG. 17 is the wireless version.

FIGS. 18 and 19 depict a networked alarm siren and strobe lightrespectively. The IP controller 500 receives IP messages from thenetwork and controls the alarm 560 or strobe light 565 respectively.Network messages may be used to turn the alarm or strobe on or off, ormay control other characteristics of the device such as volume, flashrate, etc. The IP controller may also send status messages to thenetwork, either in response to inquiries from control devices or atregular intervals. FIGS. 18A and 19A are the wireless versions,respectively.

FIG. 20 depicts a networked thermostat or humidistat, or both combined.The temperature sensor 570 and/or humidity sensor 575 produce signalsindicative of local temperature and/or humidity. As before, IPcontroller 500 generates and transmits predefined messages to thenetwork representing the current values of temperature and/or humidity.In addition, switches 580 and 585 allow a user to increase or decreasethe desired temperature setting. Contact closures produced by switches580 or 585 are detected by IP controller 500 and transmitted via IPmessages to a monitoring and/or control device disposed on the network.In addition, display 590 displays the current value of the localtemperature and/or temperature setting. The temperature displayed may begenerated locally by the controller 500 or may be commanded by anetworked monitoring and control device via IP messaging. FIG. 20A isthe wireless version.

A general-purpose control panel is depicted in FIG. 21. A keypad 595 anddisplay 600 are connected to the IP controller 500. The controller 500detects and interprets keystrokes on keypad 595, and generatesappropriate IP messages for transmission over the intervening network toa networked monitoring and control station. Similarly, a networkedmonitoring and control station may generate messages to be displayed onthe control panel's display 600. Said messages are transmitted from themonitoring and control station via the IP network to the controller 500,which causes the appropriate message to be displayed. FIG. 21A is thewireless version.

FIG. 22 depicts a simple control switch. The switch 605 may be a toggle,rocker, or push-button switch as appropriate. The status of switch 605is detected by IP controller 500, which generates and transmits anappropriate message over the IP network to a networked monitoring andcontrol station. FIG. 22A is the wireless version.

A networked indicator light panel is depicted in FIG. 23. IP controller500 receives messages from a networked monitoring and control station,and thereupon causes the appropriate lamp or lamps in light array 610 tobe illuminated or extinguished. FIG. 23A is the wireless version.

FIG. 24 depicts a networked analog control device, such as may be usedto control room lights, temperature, loudspeaker volume, and the like.IP controller 500 receives input from potentiometer 615 or shaft encoder620, and thereupon generates appropriate IP messages and transmits themvia the intervening IP network to a networked monitoring and controlstation. FIG. 24A is the wireless version.

A networked loudspeaker is depicted in FIG. 25. In the preferredembodiment, the device receives a stream of data representing audio fromthe IP network. IP controller 500 passes this data to processor 625,which decodes the data stream and generates an appropriate analog signalfor reproduction via loudspeaker 630. FIG. 25A is the wireless version.

A networked control panel, with indicator lights is depicted in FIG. 26.Switches 635 and 640 cause the IP controller 500 to generate andtransmit IP messages to a networked monitoring and control station.Additionally, a networked monitoring and control station may generateappropriate IP messages to control the status of lamps 645, 650, and 655via the intervening network and IP controller 500. FIG. 26A is thewireless version.

A networked power outlet is depicted in FIG. 27. In this device, the IPcontroller 500 controls the status of an AC power switch 670 in responseto received IP messages from a networked monitoring and control station.The networked monitoring and control station may thereby turn anAC-powered appliance ON or OFF via networked IP messages. Alternatively,power switch 670 may be replaced with a dimmer module, to allow dimmingof a lamp from the networked monitoring and control station.Additionally, an RJ-45 socket 665 may be installed on the device, toprovide a local user with an Ethernet connection into the network. Sincethe Ethernet connection to the network is already in use by the systemcontroller 500, it is necessary to insert a simple three-port Ethernethub 660 between the Ethernet physical-layer interface 515 and the RJ-45connector to the network 520. FIG. 27A is the wireless version.

In FIG. 28, the network-controlled AC socket is expanded into anetwork-controlled AC power strip. As previously described in FIG. 27,the IP controller 500 controls a switch or dimmer 670 in response to IPmessages received via the network from a monitoring and control station.In this embodiment, multiple AC sockets 675 are provided. In addition, acircuit breaker 680 protects the device from overload. FIG. 28A is thewireless version.

FIG. 29 depicts a network-controlled telephone dialer, preferably housedin a standard telephone wall socket. A standard POTS telephone isplugged into the telephone line 700 via RJ-11 socket 705. The IPcontroller 500, in response to commands received from the IP network,energizes relay 695, thus seizing telephone line 700. The IP controller500 thereupon, in response to IP commands received via the IP network,causes DTMF generator 685 to produce the desired DTMF tones on telephoneline 700 via line transformer 690. FIG. 29A is the wireless version.

FIG. 30 depicts a lighting fixture controlled by the network. As in FIG.27, IP controller 500 turns the light ON or OFF, or may dim the light,in response to IP messages received from a monitoring and controlstation via the network. FIG. 30A is the wireless version.

FIG. 31 depicts an analog wall clock controlled by the IP network. IPcontroller 500 maintains an accurate knowledge of local time throughperiodic synchronization with a network time standard via SNTP or otherappropriate network-time protocols. IP controller 500 drives a steppermotor 720, which drives hands 735, 740, and 745 via gear train 730.Shaft encoder 725 provides shaft position feedback information to IPcontroller 500, to allow the clock to be set after a power failure. Theshaft encoder may be as simple as a one-bit indication that the handsare all in the 12:00 position. FIG. 31A is the wireless version.

FIG. 32 depicts an alternative embodiment, wherein a digital display 735replaces the stepper motor 720, gearbox 730, hands 735, 740, and 745,and shaft encoder 725. As before, IP controller 500 maintains accuratetime via periodic synchronization over the IP network. FIG. 32A is thewireless version.

FIG. 33 depicts a magnetic strip reader, as commonly used in ATMmachines, gas pumps, and point-of-sale cash registers. Card reader 750passes data extracted from the card to IP controller 500, whichthereupon transmits the card data to a device on the IP network forappropriate processing. The card data is preferentially encrypted by IPcontroller before transmission, to provide security. FIG. 33A is thewireless version.

FIG. 34 depicts a proximity card reader, as commonly used at doorentrances. IP controller 500 receives data detected by badge sensor 755,and passes an appropriate predefined IP message to a networkedmonitoring and control station. FIG. 34A is the wireless version.

It is an important feature of the subject invention that legacy sensors,alarms and devices may be connected to the system without modificationof the legacy device, permitting signals generated by the legacy devicesto be communicated via and managed by the system of the subjectinvention. FIGS. 35-38 are examples of such enhancements. An importantcomponent of this feature is a common interface permitting thecommunication of the signals generated by the legacy device to thenetwork supporting the system of the subject invention. One commoninterface device 900 is shown in FIG. 35 and includes two terminals orconnectors 901,902 for connecting the output wires 904, 905 of a legacydevice, here an electric door strike 906, to the network. The networkconnection is made via a wire connected at the RJ-45 jack 908. As shownin FIG. 35A, the legacy device can also be connected via wirelessinterface 910. In this version, a power adapter 912 is provided fordriving the interface 910. A wireless transmitter/receiver card 914 isadded to provide the wireless network connection. In the wired version,the connector wire connected to the RJ-45 jack 908 is ideally used toprovide power. However, a separate power supply can be provided wheredesired.

Multiple legacy appliances may be connected to a common interface systemas shown in FIG. 36 (wired version) and FIG. 36A (wireless version). Asthere shown, the interface 920 has multiple terminal 901, 902, 920, 921and 922 and/or appliance jacks 924, 925 for connecting numerous legacyappliances such as the retina reader 926, proximity reader 927, swipereader 928 and keypad display 929. All of these are connected to thenetwork via a connector such as a wire via RJ-45 jack 908 (FIG. 36) orvia a wireless connection card 914 (FIG. 36A). As before, the powersupply 912 may be used in either version.

FIG. 37 is an enhancement wherein a network sensor in accordance withthe subject invention includes an integrated interface for connecting alegacy appliance to the network via the network sensor system. In thisenhancement the proximity reader/controller 930 has an LED sensor 931 asis well known in the art and includes an RJ-45 jack for connecting thesensor to the network. As previously described, a wireless version isalso supported. The sensor includes terminals or connectors 901, 902 and920 for connecting various legacy appliances such as, by way of examplethe electric door strike 906 or the door contacts 923. Othersensors/devices may be similarly enhanced, as shown with the swipereader 932 of FIG. 38. A keypad entry appliance 934 is similarlyenhanced as shown in FIG. 38A.

A further enhancement is shown in FIGS. 39-39C. In this enhancement awireless proximity sensor 934 for monitoring movement within the markedzones, see zone 936, around monitored door 938 is connected to thenetwork via the wireless transmitter/receiver card 526,528 to a wirelessinterface 287. As is better shown in FIG. 39A, the circuitry forsupporting this sensor 934 is identical to the circuitry shown anddescribed in FIG. 33. The wireless version is shown in FIG. 39B and isconsistent with the circuitry shown in FIG. 33A.

FIGS. 40 and 40A show an enhancement of the door proximity sensor shownin FIG. 39 with a message display such as, by way of example, the EXITdisplay 940. In this configuration a power supply comprising the ACinput, a transformer 942 and a battery charger 944 provides power to thedisplay. This provides power to the lamp display 940 in the normalmanner, and can also be used to power the IP controller 500. Thewireless version is shown in FIG. 40A and is consistent with the changesmade in the previously discussed embodiments.

FIGS. 41 and 41A show a wired universal interface and wireless universalinterface, respectively. This configuration of the interface 946includes an independent connection to a power supply as indicated at948, a LAN connection such as the RJ-45 jack 950 in the configuration ofFIG. 41 or the wireless connector 952 of FIG. 41A. A plurality ofterminal connectors 954 are provided for connecting the legacyappliances such as the fire strobe display alarm 956 and the pull-handlealarm 958.

FIG. 42 shows a pull-handle alarm 959 modified for direct networkhook-up using a wired RJ-45 jack 960. FIG. 42A is a wireless versionwith the wireless modifications previously described.

A wired exit device is shown in FIG. 43. The wireless version of theexit device is shown in FIG. 43A. In this enhancement the exit deviceincludes a latch 962, a push bar 964 and a key lock 966. Action on anyof these elements will transmit a signal via wire 968 to show activityat the door. The wire is connected to terminals on the universalinterface 946, which is in turn connected to the network 970 via a CAT-5wire or other cabling to the universal interface. A wireless version isshown in FIG. 43A and includes the external power supply 289, thewireless access component 380, and the wireless access point 287, aswith previously described enhancements.

A keypad mortise lock entry device is shown in FIG. 44, with thewireless version being depicted in FIG. 44A. The keypad lock device 972includes a keypad 974, backup key lock 976 and a door handle 976, eachof which will generate a signal when activated. The signal is carriedfrom the control box 980 to a universal interface 946 for connection tothe LAN 970. A wireless version is shown in FIG. 44A. The keypad lock974 is replaced by a card 986 and swipe reader 984 in FIG. 45 (wired)and FIG. 45A (wireless). A magnetic or optical card reader 990 andcompatible card 992 is shown in FIG. 46 (wired) and FIG. 46A (wireless).

An alternative universal connector interface 996 is shown in FIGS. 47(wired) and 47A (wireless). The universal connector interface includes aplurality of terminals for providing power out (998), input from legacyappliances (999) and various output signals other than network (1000).Applications of the universal interface are shown in FIG. 48 wherein anelectric strike 1002 and latch 1004, an electric strike 1006 and amagnetic contact 1008. FIG. 49 shows additional universal interfaceapplications using legacy appliances.

FIG. 49A shows a retina reader 1010 adapted for use in the system of thepresent invention. The retina scanner 1012 is adapted for scanning theretina of a user. A readout display is provided at 600 to indicateacceptance or rejection. A keyboard input panel 595 may be provided forsecondary identification, where desired. This version includes thecircuitry previously described for connecting the retina reader to anetwork via the RJ-45 connection 520. The wireless version is shown inFIG. 49B and includes a wireless interface network 380 embodied in theinterface card 526, and an antenna 528 whereby the retina readerwirelessly communicates with the network via an access point 287.

FIG. 49C shows a fingerprint reader 1014 adapted for use in the systemof the present invention. A readout display is provided at 600 toindicate acceptance or rejection. A keyboard input panel 595 may beprovided for secondary identification, where desired. This versionincludes the circuitry previously described for connecting thefingerprint reader to a network via the RJ-45 connector 520. Thewireless version is shown in FIG. 49D and includes a wireless interfacenetwork 380 embodied in the interface card 526, and an antenna 528whereby the retina reader wirelessly communicates with the network viaan access point 287.

FIGS. 49E and 49F show a system including a tilt/pan/zoom camera. Inthis enhancement, the camera 1018 is mounted in a location such as nearthe exit and is positioned to monitor a specific zone. The cameracontrols are transmitted via the network from the control station 1016and the camera-captured images are transmitted via the same network. Asshown in FIG. 49F, the door access panel 1019 may also be connected tothe same network interface by using the hub 1021.

FIG. 50 is block diagram of the circuitry for supporting a multipleappliance security system in accordance with the subject invention. Thefull schematic is shown in FIGS. 51 and 51A-51*. With reference to FIG.50, the security appliance 5 includes a system processor 75 having bothRead Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM) components 1025and 1026, respectively. A contact closure interface 1028 is provided forconnecting any combination of simple external appliances to the securityappliance center. Specifically, these appliances are generally limitedto ON/OFF conditions and responses The RS-232 interface 1030 is providedfor connecting more sophisticated external appliances such as, by way ofexample, the listed appliances and the appliances described elsewhereherein. A DTMF/CLID detector 1032 and phone line circuit monitor 1034provides connection to an external telephone 1036 and to the telephonenetwork 1038. External power is provided to the system either throughthe wired LAN interface 80 and the network power module 1040. Externalpower may also be provided by the power supply 289 or through the optionAC power brick 1042. The system is capable of wireless connection to thenetwork 90 via the wireless network interface 85 and the wireless accesspoint 87, or alternatively by wired connection to the network vianetwork interface 80.

While certain embodiments and features of the invention have beendescribed in detail herein, it will be readily understood that theinvention includes all modifications and enhancements within the scopeand spirit of the following claims.

1. An appliance for a network based security system, the networkoperating according to a packet switching protocol, comprising: a sensorcomponent adapted for generating a signal in response to a conditionpresent at the sensor component; a processor for generating a digitaloutput signal corresponding to the sensor component signal; a networkinterface for transmitting the digital output signal via a digitalnetwork, wherein the sensor is a video sensor and the signal comprises avideo signal, the appliance further comprising: an analog-to-digitalconverter for converting the analog video signal to a digital signal; amotion video buffer; an mpeg compressor associated with the motion videocompressor; a still frame buffer; a jpeg compressor associated with thestill frame buffer; a multiplexer for combining the output of the mpegcompressor and the jpeg compressor for generating a combined outputsignal to the processor for distribution via the network interface overthe network, wherein there is further comprising: an audio sensorcomponent; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analogaudio signal to a digital signal; an audio compressor associated withthe audio sensor component for introducing a signal to the multiplexer,whereby the multiplexer produces a combined digital signal comprising avideo and an audio component for distribution via the network interfaceover the network.
 2. A device adapted to be connected to an internetprotocol network, the device comprising: a housing; at least one sensorsupported by the housing, the at least one sensor providing digitalsensor data, the digital sensor data relating to at least one conditionof an environment external of the housing, the at least one sensorincluding a camera, the camera being configured to provide digital imagedata; at least one digital processor supported by the housing, the atleast one digital processor being in communication with the at least onesensor for receiving the digital sensor data; at least two compressorssupported by the housing, the at least two compressors being configuredto congress digital image data according to respective of at least twocompression protocols, the at least two compressors providing respectiveof at least two differentiated sets of compressed digital image data;and a network interface supported by the housing, the network interfacebeing in communication with the at least two compressors for receivingthe at least two differentiated sets of compressed digital image data,the network interface being adapted to be connected to the internetprotocol network for communicating to the internet protocol network theat least two differentiated sets of compressed digital image data ininternet protocol format.
 3. A device according to claim 2 and furthercomprising: a time server in communication with the internet protocolnetwork, the time server outputting a time base signal to the internetprotocol network, the internet protocol network communicating the timebase signal to the network interface, the network interface providingthe tint base signal to the at least one digital processor.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 2 and further comprising: the at least one sensorincluding at least one circuit, operation of the at least one circuitproviding the digital sensor data.
 5. A device according to claim 2 andfurther comprising: the at least one sensor including at least one of: atransducer, a condition sensor, an image processing device, an imageprocessing circuit, a camera, an image capture device, a video capturedevice, a video and still image camera, a clock, a timer, an accesscontrol device, an audio sensor, a notion detector, a fire sensor, atemperature detector, a snake detector, a fire detector, a switch, apanic switch, a door contact, a floor sensor, an alarm, a manual alarm,an automated alarm, a panic bar, an electric door strike, a magneticdoor strike, a door opener, a light, a siren, an emergency light, andfire control equipment.
 6. A device according to claim 2 and furthercomprising: the at least one sensor including at least one camera, theat least one camera providing digital sensor data, the digital sensordata including at least one of a still image and video.
 7. A deviceaccording to claim 6 and further comprising: the digital sensor dataincluding both a still image in digital format and video in digitalformat; at least one still image encoder for compressing according to atleast one still image compression protocol the still image in digitalformat, the at least one still image encoder providing compressed stillimage data, the at least one still image encoder being in communicationwith the at least one digital processor; at least one video encoder forcompressing according to at least one video compression protocol thevideo in digital format, the at least one video encoder providingcompressed video data, the at least one video encoder being incommunication with the at least one digital processor, the digitalsensor data received by the digital processor including the compressedstill image data and the compressed video data.
 8. A device according toclaim 7 and further comprising: the compressed still image dataincluding data in MPEG format, the compressed video data including datain at least one of JPEG format and MPEG format.
 9. A device according toclaim 8 and further comprising: at least one buffer in communicationwith the at least one analog to digital converter to receive the digitalsensor data, the at least one buffer being in communication with the atleast one video encoder for providing to the at least one video encoderthe digital sensor data.
 10. A device according to claim 8 and furthercomprising: the digital sensor data when communicated from the networkinterface to the internet protocol network being contained in at leastone sequence of data packets, the at least one sequence of data packetsincluding the compressed still image data and the compressed video data.11. A device according to claim 10 and further comprising: at least onemultiplexer in communication with the network interface, the at leastone multiplexer being adapted to provide to the network interface atleast one sequence of data including the compressed still image data andthe compressed video data, the at least one sequence of data packetscommunicated to the internet protocol network from the network interfaceincluding the at least one sequence of data.
 12. A device according toclaim 2 and further comprising: the at least one sensor including acamera, the camera a megapixel camera.
 13. A device adapted to beconnected to an internet protocol network, the device comprising: ahousing; at least one camera supported by the housing, the at least onecamera providing sensor data, the sensor data relating to at least onefield of view of an environment external of the housing; at least oneanalog to digital converter supported by the housing, the at least oneanalog to digital converter being connected to the camera to receive thesensor data, the at least one analog to digital converter digitizing thesensor data, the at least one analog to digital converter providingdigital sensor data; at least one digital processor supported by thehousing, the at least one digital processor being in communication withthe at least one analog to digital converter for receiving the digitalsensor data; and a network interface supported by the housing, thenetwork interface being in communication with the at least one digitalprocessor for receiving the digital sensor data, the network interfacebeing adapted to be connected to the internet protocol network forcommunicating to the internet protocol network the digital sensor datain internet protocol format.
 14. A device according to claim 13 andfurther comprising: a time server in communication with the internetprotocol network, the time server outputting a time base signal to theinternet protocol network, the internet protocol network communicatingthe time base signal to the network interface, the network interfaceproviding the time base signal to the at least one digital processor.15. A device according to claim 13 and further comprising: the at leastone camera including the at least one analog to digital converter.
 16. Adevice according to claim 13 and further comprising: the at least onecamera including at least one of: an image processing device, an imageprocessing circuit, an image capture device, a video capture device, avideo camera, and a video and still image camera.
 17. A device accordingto claim 13 and further comprising: the sensor data including both astill image and video; the digital sensor data including both a stillimage in digital format and video in digital format; at least one stillimage encoder for compressing according to at least one still imagecompression protocol the still image in digital format, the at least onestill image encoder providing compressed still image data, the at leastone still image encoder being in communication with the at least onedigital processor; at least one video encoder for compressing accordingto at least one video compression protocol the video in digital format,the at least one video encoder providing compressed video data, the atleast one video encoder being in communication with the at least onedigital processor, the digital sensor data received by the digitalprocessor including the compressed still image data and the compressedvideo data.
 18. A device according to claim 17 and further comprising:at least one buffer in communication with the at least one analog todigital converter to receive the digital sensor data, the at least onebuffer being in communication with the at least one video encoder forproviding to the at least one video encoder the digital sensor data. 19.A device according to claim 17 and further comprising: the compressedstill image data including data in MPEG format, the compressed videodata including data in at least one of JPEG format and MPEG format. 20.A device according to claim 17 and further comprising: the digitalsensor data when communicated from the network interface to the internetprotocol network being contained in at least one sequence of datapackets, the at least one sequence of data packets including thecompressed still image data and the compressed video data.
 21. A deviceaccording to claim 20 and further comprising: at least one multiplexerin communication with the network interface, the at least onemultiplexer being adapted to provide to the network interface at leastone sequence of data including the compressed still image data and thecompressed video data, the at least one sequence of data packetscommunicated to the internet protocol network from the network interfaceincluding the at least one sequence of data.
 22. A device adapted to beconnected to an internet protocol network, the device comprising: ahousing; at least one camera supported by the housing, the at least onecamera providing digital sensor data, the digital sensor data relatingto at least one field of view, the digital sensor data including a stillimage in digital format and video in digital format; at least one stillimage encoder for compressing according to at least one still imagecompression protocol the still image in digital format, the at least onestill image encoder providing compressed still image data; at least onevideo encoder for compressing according to at least one videocompression protocol the video in digital format, the at least one videoencoder providing compressed video data; at least one digital processorsupported by the housing, the at least one digital processor being incommunication with the at least one still image encoder for receivingthe compressed still image data, the at least one digital processorbeing in communication with the at least one still image encoder forreceiving the compressed video data; a network interface supported bythe housing, the network interface being in communication with the atleast one digital processor for receiving the compressed still imagedata and the compressed video data, the network interface being adaptedto be connected to the internet protocol network for communicating tothe internet protocol network the compressed still image data and thecompressed video data in internet protocol format, the compressed stillimage data and the compressed video data when communicated to theinternet protocol network being contained in at least one sequence ofdata packets, the at least one sequence of data packets including thecompressed still image data and the compressed video data; and at leastone multiplexer in communication with the network interface, the atleast one multiplexer being adapted to provide to the network interfaceat least one sequence of data including the compressed still image dataand the compressed video data, the at least one sequence of data packetscommunicated to the internet protocol network from the network interfaceincluding the at least one sequence of data.
 23. A device according toclaim 22 and further comprising: a time server in communication with theinternet protocol network, the time server outputting a time base signalto the internet protocol network, the internet protocol networkcommunicating the time base signal to the network interface, the networkinterface providing the tint base signal to the at least one digitalprocessor.
 24. A device according to claim 22 and further comprising: atleast one buffer in communication with the at least one camera toreceive the digital sensor data, the at least one buffer being incommunication with the at least one video encoder for providing to theat least one video encoder the digital sensor data.
 25. A deviceaccording to claim 22 and further comprising: the compressed still imagedata including data in MPEG format, the compressed video data includingdata in at least one of JPEG format and MPEG format.
 26. A deviceaccording to claim 22 and further comprising: at least one of anethernet hub and a wireless access point supported by the housing, theat least one of an et her net hub and a wireless access point beingadapted to be connected to the internet protocol network forcommunicating with the internet protocol network, the at least one of anethernet hub and a wireless access point being adapted to communicatewith a client external of the housing for providing to the internetprotocol network data from the client, the at least one of an ethernethub and a wireless access point being in communication with the at leastone digital processor for receiving the digital sensor data, the atleast one of an ethernet hub and a wireless access point communicatingto the internet protocol network the digital sensor data in internetprotocol format.
 27. A device adapted to be connected to an internetprotocol network, the device comprising: a housing; at least one camerasupported by the housing, the at least one camera providing digitalsensor data, the digital sensor data relating to at least one field ofview, at least one digital processor supported by the housing, the atleast one digital processor being in communication with the at least onecamera for receiving the digital sensor data; a location signal sourcein communication with the at least one digital processor for providingto the digital processor a location signal, the location signalcorresponding to a location; a panic switch in communication with the atleast one digital processor, operation of the panic switch by anoperator providing to the digital processor a panic signal, the panicsignal corresponding to a request for assistance by personnel; and anetwork interface supported by the housing, the network interface beingin communication with the at least one digital processor for receivingthe digital sensor data, the network interface being in communicationwith the at least one digital processor for receiving the signal, thenetwork interface being adapted to be connected to the internet protocolnetwork for communicating to the internet protocol network the digitalsensor data, the location signal, and the panic signal.
 28. A device asset forth in claim 27 and further comprising: a wireless communicationchannel in communication with at least one of the digital processor andthe network interface, the wireless communication channel being incommunication with the panic switch for providing the panic signal tothe at least one of the digital processor and the network interface. 29.An appliance adapted for connection to a security system the securitysystem including an internet protocol network, the appliance comprising:a sensor component, the sensor component including a video sensorcomponent adapted for generating a video signal in response to acondition present at the video sensor component; an analog-to-digitalconverter for converting the video signal from analog format to digitalformat, the analog-to-digital converter thus producing a digital videosignal; a motion video buffer; an mpeg compressor associated with themotion video buffer, the mpeg compressor producing compressed mpegoutput; a still frame buffer; a jpeg compressor associated with thestill frame buffer, the jpeg compressor producing compressed jpegoutput; a multiplexer for combining the compressed mpeg output and thecompressed jpeg output for generating a combined output signal, thecombined output signal being communicated to the processor; a processorfor generating a digital output signal corresponding to the combinedoutput signal; and a network interface for transmitting the digitaloutput signal to the internet protocol network.
 30. An applianceaccording to claim 29 and further comprising: an audio sensor component,the audio sensor component being adapted for producing an audio signalin response to a condition present at the audio sensor component; ananalog-to-digital converter for converting the audio signal from analogfor ma to digital format, the analog-to-digital converter thus producinga digital audio signal; an audio compressor associated with the audiosensor component for producing a compressed audio signal; themultiplexer being in communication with the audio compress or forreceiving the compressed audio, the multiplexer being in communicationwith the jpeg compressor for receiving the compressed jpeg, themultiplexer being in communication with the mpeg compress or forreceiving the compressed mpeg, the multiplexer being adapted forproducing the combined output signal, the combined output signalincluding the compressed audio, the compressed jpeg and the compressedmpeg.
 31. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:wherein the internet protocol network is a hardwired network, thenetwork interface including a connector.
 32. The appliance according toclaim 29 and further comprising: wherein the internet protocol networkincludes a wireless network, the network interface including a wirelesstransmitter.
 33. The appliance according to claim 32 and furthercomprising: the network interface including a wireless receiver.
 34. Theappliance according to claim 29 and further comprising: the digitaloutput signal including a location signal, the location signalidentifying a location of the appliance.
 35. The appliance according toclaim 34 and further comprising: the location signal including a gpssignal.
 36. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:the digital output signal including a device identification signal, thedevice identification signal identifying a device type.
 37. Theappliance according to claim 29 and further comprising: the networkinterface including an embedded base-T hub.
 38. The appliance accordingto claim 29 and further comprising: the network interface including awireless receiver and a hard-wired connector.
 39. The applianceaccording to claim 29 and further comprising: the sensor componentincluding a plurality of distinct sensor sub-components, the pluralityof distinct sensor sub-components each producing a respectivesub-component sensor signal, the processor combining the plurality ofsub-component sensor signals into a digital sensor signal having aplurality of digital sub-signals.
 40. The appliance according to claim29 and further comprising: a self-contained power supply.
 41. Theappliance according to claim 29 and further comprising: the networkinterface including a LAN data link, the LAN data link having a hubphysical-layer interface, the LAN data link having two twisted-pairwires, the LAN data link having a first transformer connecting the twotwisted-pair wires to the hub physical-layer interface, the LAN datalink having a network device physical-layer interface connected to thetwo twisted-pair wires, the LAN data link having a second transformerconnected to a peripheral device.
 42. The appliance according to claim29 and further comprising: the sensor component including a motiondetector.
 43. The appliance according to claim 29 and furthercomprising: the sensor component including a smoke detector.
 44. Theappliance according to claim 29 and further comprising: the sensorcomponent including a temperature detector.
 45. The appliance accordingto claim 29 and further comprising: the sensor component including amanual switch for generating a signal when actuated.
 46. The applianceaccording to claim 29 and further comprising: the sensor componentincluding a contact switch.
 47. The appliance according to claim 29 andfurther comprising: the sensor component including a thermal sensoradapted for detecting body heat.
 48. The appliance according to claim 29and further comprising: the sensor component including a glass breakagesensor.
 49. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:the sensor component including a signal-generating unit for generating alocal warning signal, the local warning signal being local to theenvironment of the appliance.
 50. The appliance according to claim 29and further comprising: a signal generating unit including a clock, theclock including a visual display.
 51. The appliance according to claim29 and further comprising: the digital output signal including anemergency event annunciation signal.
 52. The appliance according toclaim 29 and further comprising: a pager, the digital output signalincluding a paging signal.
 53. The appliance according to claim 29 andfurther comprising: an intercom the digital output signal including anintercom signal.
 54. The appliance according to claim 29 and furthercomprising: a gunshot detector, the digital output signal including agunshot detection signal.
 55. The appliance according to claim 29 andfurther comprising: a room access control, the digital output signalincluding an access control signal.
 56. The appliance according to claim29 and further comprising: a mute control, the digital output signalincluding a mute control signal, the mute control signal beingcommunicated to mute at least one of a camera and a microphone.
 57. Theappliance according to claim 29 and further comprising: a panic switch,the digital output signal including a panic switch signal, the panicswitch signal when the panic switch is actuated causing operation of atleast one of a camera and a microphone.
 58. The appliance according toclaim 57 and further comprising: an intercom operation of the intercombeing initiated by actuation of the panic switch.
 59. The applianceaccording to claim 57 and further comprising: the panic switch signalwhen the panic switch is actuated causing an emergency notification. 60.The appliance according to claim 57 and further comprising: the panicswitch signal when the panic switch is actuated causing activation of alocation icon on a map display.
 61. The appliance according to claim 57and further comprising: the panic switch signal when the panic switch isactuated causing emergency communications to be recorded.
 62. Theappliance according to claim 55 and further comprising: when access isattempted the access control signal causing display of at least one ofthe compressed mpeg output and the compressed jpeg output in the digitaloutput signal.
 63. The appliance according to claim 29 and furthercomprising: an encryption algorithm stored in media and operable toencrypt at least one of the combined signal and the digital outputsignal.
 64. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:the sensor component including a biometric identification device. 65.The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising: the videosensor component including a tilt/pan/zoom camera.
 66. The applianceaccording to claim 29 and further comprising: the sensor componentincluding a manual fire alarm.
 67. The appliance according to claim 29and further comprising: the sensor component including a contact closureinterface.
 68. The appliance according to claim 29 and furthercomprising: the sensor component including at least one of a telephoneinterface and a telephone dialer.
 69. The appliance according to claim29 and further comprising: the sensor component including an electricdoor strike.